pull punches
Soften the blow
To pull punches is to hold back, to restrain the force of criticism or attack.
The phrase comes from boxing, where a fighter might deliberately soften a blow.
Almost always used in the negative: She doesn't pull punches when giving feedback.
Someone who pulls no punches is direct and unsparing.
Prevent forward movement
- softenMake less firm
- go easyBe gentle or lenient
- temperState of mind
- moderateLessen intensity or preside
tone down · ease up · soft-pedal · cushion · blunt · dilute · understate · downplay
Unpleasantly severe or rough
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- scathingSeverely and bitingly critical
- unflinchingRefusing to show fear
- directUndeviating or to guide
blunt · candid · frank · unsparing · hard-hitting · savage · relentless · cutting
hold back
Prevent forward movement
moderate · tone down · ease up · soft-pedal · cushion · blunt · dilute · understate · downplay · sugarcoat
harsh
Unpleasantly severe or rough
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- scathingSeverely and bitingly critical
- unflinchingRefusing to show fear
direct · blunt · candid · frank · unsparing · hard-hitting · savage · relentless · cutting · pointed
pull punchesgo for the jugular
Exploit maximum vulnerability
go all out · hold nothing back · pull no punches · hit hard · go for broke
pull punchesnot mince words
pull no punches · tell it like it is · call a spade a spade · lay it on the line · let someone have it
pull punchesgo all in
Wager everything available
empty the tank · give 110% · leave it all on the field · escalate · go nuclear
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